This year’s Welcoming Week takes place September 15th-25th. Welcoming Week celebrates how Philadelphia is an open, friendly, and welcoming environment for immigrants, refugees and people of all backgrounds. The activities and events provide U.S. and foreign-born residents an opportunity to explore other cultures — and to develop a deeper appreciation for one another.

Be sure to follow OIA on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on events — if you’re participating in Welcoming Week, let us know using the hashtags #WelcomingWeek and #WelcomingWeekPHL!

Welcoming Week’s Kickoff & An Immigrant Alphabet Press Conference Friday, September 15| 10:30 a.m. Conversation Hall, City Hall Rm. 200 Free
To kick off the 2017 Welcoming Week, the Office of Immigrant Affairs is partnering with Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture to hold a press conference unveiling the art exhibit An Immigrant Alphabet. The project is a collaboration between artist Wendy Ewald and eighteen students at Northeast High School, the most diverse high school in the city. The students reflected on their journeys and ways of representing their stories through images and words. Expressed as an alphabet, twenty-six large banners that give insight into the complexities of immigration in America will be hung around the exterior of the Municipal Services Building. The exhibition will debut in September and will stay up for three months. Email Diana Misdary at diana@albustanseeds.org with questions.

Nicaraguan Flag Raising Friday, September 15| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Northeast Apron, City Hall Free
The Nicaraguan Flag raising ceremony hosted by the Nicaraguan Consulate, the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and Philadelphia’s Office of the City Representatives (OCR). As part of the flag raising program, the OIA and OCR coordinates with local communities and diplomatic representatives to have a flag representing the community’s country of origin raised at City Hall. This is Philadelphia’s way of offering an official welcome to our diverse communities from different countries. With this program, the City looks to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for our many residents, cultures, and communities For more information, email Eli Gabay at nicaraguaconsul.phila@gmail.com or Elka Battle-Murillo at elka.battle-murillo@phila.gov.

Monument Lab Saturday Spotlight: City Hall Saturday, September 16|1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Courtyard, City Hall Free
Mural Arts Philadelphia’s citywide Monument Lab kicks off at the center of the city with a Saturday Spotlight event at City Hall. Hear from artists Mel Chin and Tania Bruguera, both working on Monument Lab projects in the City Hall area, as well as Emeka Ogboh, whose project will be installed in the Logan Square area. Mel Chin’s project involves the ordinary citizen and representation, Tania Bruguera’s focuses on the “new immigrant” in Philadelphia, and Emeka Ogboh’s project is an ode to sound and collective memory of the city. Call Nicole Steinberg at 267-353-2751 with questions.

Follow Me Through the Gates Saturday, September 16|2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Independence Library, 18 S. 7th St. Free
Someone has gone missing in the library and everything is about to change a whole lot! Come out and help Ty, Grandfather, Azsori and their favorite librarian, Ms. Layla, on their quest for knowledge and acceptance through the walls of Independence branch of the Free Library – an adventure of exploring your roots and finding your family! This event is best enjoyed by children ages 5 to 10 and their adults. Tickets are Pay What You Want. There will be additional performances on September 23rd and September 30th. Please go to www.DragonsEyeTheatre.com for more information or to reserve tickets for performances.

Dark Waters: 2,379 Days and Counting Sunday, September 17|11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Penn Museum, 3260 South St.
On September 17, 2,379 days will have passed since the Syrian uprising on March 15, 2011. The staggering human loss and displacement of Syrian people continues. Join us for an interactive community project with internationally acclaimed Syrian-born artist Issam Kourbaj, in a powerful exploration about his homeland. Throughout the afternoon, people of all ages are invited to join in the creation of 2,379 small tin foil and plaster boats. At 5:00 PM, the boats will be incorporated into a live-streamed performance of Kourbaj’s video piece Strike. For more information, call Tena Thomason at 215-898-2680.

Feria del Barrio Sunday, September 17|12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. N. 5th between Huntingdon and Somerset St. Free
The annual La Feria del Barrio celebrates the Latino culture and community with live entertainment, food, arts and crafts and more. A family friendly event that welcomes all. Email Carmen Febo San Miguel at cfebo@tallerpr.org with questions.

PECO Multicultural Series: Brazilian Day Philadelphia Sunday, September 17|1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. Free
Held at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Brazilian Day Philadelphia celebrates, promotes and shares Brazilian arts and culture while fostering intercultural exchange and uniting the Brazilian community. For more information, call Delphine Dos Santos at 267-601-9117 or email ascabligeria@aol.com.

Puerto Rican Flag Raising Monday, September 18|12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. City Hall Northeast Apron Free
The Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony is hosted by the office Councilwoman Maria Quiñonez-Sánchez. As part of Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) flag raising program, the OIA and Office of the City Representatives (OCR) coordinates with local communities and diplomatic representatives to have a flag representing the community’s country of origin raised at City Hall. This is Philadelphia’s way of offering an official welcome to our diverse communities from different countries. With this program, the City looks to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for our many residents, cultures, and communities. Email Quetcy Lozada at Quetcy.Lozada@phila.gov or Elka Battle-Murillo at elka.battle-murillo@phila.gov with questions.

Literary Evening of Mexican Authors | Noche Literaria de Autores Mexicanos Monday, September 18|6:00 p.m. Charles Santore Library, 932 S. 7th St. Free
The Charles Santore Library in conjunction with the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia is proud to invite you to a Literary Evening on Monday, September 18th and join us for a cultural Literary Evening to discuss Mexican authors through the ages. We will discuss authors like Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes and their importance to art and culture. This event is free. RSVP at imefia@sre.gob.mx or calling at 215-845-5013.

Waging War on Immigration and Science Monday, September 18|6:30 p.m. Philadelphia City Institute, 1905 Locust Street Free
Join Zack Pelta-Heller, a Web Content Manager at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, as he remembers his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, immigrant and inventor. In this speaker event, Pelta-Heller will give his insights in light of the highly controversial immigrant ban proposed earlier this year. For more information, call Philadelphia City Institute at 215-685-6621.

Share Your, or Your’s Family Immigration Story Monday, September 18| 6:30 p.m. Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Ave. Free
Are you an immigrant or come from an immigrant family? How did you and/or your family come to America? Whether it was through Ellis Island or asylum seeking, the Free Library of Philadelphia believes you have a fascinating story to tell. Come out and share yours with us. Light refreshment will be served. For more information, call Dan Ryan at 215-685-6621 or email ryand@freelibrary.org.

Language Access Community Workshop Tuesday, September 19| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Municipal Services Building, Innovation Lab, 1401 JFK Blvd., 16th Fl. Free
Description: The Office of Immigrant Affairs has been busy working across municipal departments to make city services language accessible for our immigrant communities. Come learn about the process, hear the latest updates, and give feedback on materials that will be used in language access efforts and beyond. Community organizations are encouraged to attend. To attend, RSVP here. For more information, email Orlando Almonte at orlando.almonte@phila.gov.

Salud! Fundraising Dinner Series for Garces Foundation Tuesday, September 19|Dinner hours Bing Bing Dim Sum, 1648 E. Passyunk Ave.
Salud is a three-night fundraising dinner series to support the Garces Foundation. Five of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants will donate a portion of their dinner proceeds to support the Foundation. The Garces Foundation provides the immigrant community with the health and educational support they need to live healthy and prosperous lives. We provide free, comprehensive healthcare to any immigrant. In addition, we provide English classes and workforce skills geared toward advancing the careers of immigrants working in the culinary industry. We are both a lifeline and a springboard to the American dream. Email Robin Morris at give@garcesfoundation.org with questions.

“Éste es Mi Mexico” Drawing Workshop Wednesday, September 20| 4:00 p.m. Consulate of Mexico, 11 N Independence Mall E Free
The Fumo Family Library in conjunction with the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia is proud to invite all kids between the ages of 6 and 14 years old to participate in a drawing competition “Este es mi Mexico,” on Wednesday, September 20th at 4:00 pm. This drawing workshop is called “The Monarch Butterfly and its Lifecycle in North America” will provide children with a knowledge of their habitat, their migration, and their life stages while connecting them with Mexico. Kids who attend will receive prizes and other surprises. This event is free. RSVP at imefia@sre.gob.mx or calling at 215-845-5013.

The State of Global Peacefulness Wednesday, September 20|5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Perry World House, 3803 Locust Walk Free
The past ten years have seen historic increases conflict deaths, the number of refugees and displaced people, and terrorism. What is the state of global peace today and how can we understand these complex trends? The Institute for Economics and Peace will give a talk about the Global Peace Index, which measures trends in violence, conflict, and peace around the world. To attend, please register here. For more information, contact Lisa Parker at lisadinparker@gmail.com or 215-688-6127.

Monument Lab at UArts: Monumental Exchange #1 Wednesday, September 20| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St. Free
Join Mural Arts Philadelphia for the first Monumental Exchange event, part of the citywide Monument Lab exhibit at the University of the Arts. Artists Sharon Hayes and Karyn Olivier, who are currently working on projects in Rittenhouse Square and Vernon Park, will take part in a public conversation, moderated by Monument Lab curator Paul M. Farber. Sharon Hayes’ project calls attention to the absence of women in Philadelphia’s monuments, while Karyn Olivier’s work turns a pre-existing monument into a reflection of ever-shifting human moments. Call Nicole Steinberg at 267-353-2751 with questions.

Heritage Story Potluck Wednesday, September 20|6:00 p.m. Philadelphia City Institute. 1905 Locust St. Free
Join us for an evening of food and story sharing. Bring a favorite dish from your homeland and share stories about your country of origin and how you or your family came to America. Mingle with your neighbors and have a good time! Call Nate Eddy at 215-686-7502 or email eddyn@freelibrary.org with questions.

DACA: A Dying Dream?
Wednesday, September 20|5:15p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
International House, 3701 Chestnut St.
FreeOn September 5th, President Trump announced he would let protections for “Dreamers” under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) expire and called on Congress to find a legislative solution. These decisions affect 800,000 registered recipients. International House Philadelphia will host an interdisciplinary panel discussion about the DACA program, both its history and possible futures. Featured speakers include Alicia Kerber (Mexican Consulate of Philadelphia), Sarah Paoletti (Transnational Legal Clinic at Penn Law), Adam Solow (Attorney at Solow, Isbell, and Palladino), and Anel Medina (DACA recipient). RSVP here.

World Alzheimer’s Day #WorldAlzheimer’sDay
Thursday, September 21|10:30 a.m.
Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia, 111 N Independence Mall E, Suite 310
Free
The Health Window of the Mexican Consulate in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association of Philadelphia will hold a presentation at the Consulate of Mexico on Thursday, September 21 at 10:30 am on Mental Health on World Alzheimer’s Day to learn how affects this disease in Hispanics and helps prevent it. This event is free; contact us at imefia@sre.gob.mx or call 215-845-5013.

Together for Peace Moment of Silence – Peace Day Philly 2017 Thursday, September 21|11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Rittenhouse Square Free
To mark the United Nations International Day of Peace, Peace Day Philly will gather for peace messages, remarks, music and the global minute of silence at noon. Please see visit the site for complete schedule of events. For more information, contact Lisa Parker at lisadinparker@gmail.com or 215-688-6127.

Performance in Public Spaces – Piffaro Thursday, September 21| 7 p.m. Hawthorne Park, 12th & Catherine Street Free
Join the City of Philadelphia’s Office for Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy for a free Performance in Public Spaces event. Meet Piffaro and the instruments of the Renaissance in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Email Stephane Fuentes at stephanie.fuentes@phila.gov for more information.

Lantinx Heritage Month (Notario Fraud) Thursday, September 21|11:20 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Community College of Philadelphia, 1700 Spring Garden St., Center for Business and Industry Building, Room C228. Free
Miriam Enriquez, the Director for the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, will educate students, faculty and staff at the Community College of Philadelphia on Immigration Assistance Services and Notario Fraud. Contact Maritza Rodriguez at mrodriguez@ccp.edu or 215-751-8904 with questions.

Recipes for Change with Catzie Vilayphonh Thursday, September 21| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia, Culinary Literacy Center, 1901 Vine Street, 4th Floor
Join Catzie Vilayphonh, an award-winning writer and spoken word poet, for a special evening of food and storytelling. Participants will sample mieng, a Lao lettuce wrap made from savory sticky rice, and hear the story of a trickster who uses mieng to teach an important lesson. This program also includes opportunities for conversation about life in Philadelphia and the unique challenges and triumphs immigrants and refugees who identify themselves as women face and how we can foster a better community as a city. For more information, email urminskas@freelibrary.org.

Salud! Fundraising Dinner Series for Garces Foundation Thursday, September 21| Dinner hours Distrito Restaurant, 3945 Chestnut St.
Salud is a three-night fundraising dinner series to support the Garces Foundation. Five of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants will donate a portion of their dinner proceeds to support the Foundation. The Garces Foundation provides the immigrant community with the health and educational support they need to live healthy and prosperous lives. We provide free, comprehensive healthcare to any immigrant. In addition, we provide English classes and workforce skills geared toward advancing the careers of immigrants working in the culinary industry. We are both a lifeline and a springboard to the American dream. Email Robin Morris at give@garcesfoundation.org with questions.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony Friday, September 22|11:00 a.m. Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Skyline Room Free
Dozens of immigrants will take the oath of citizenship to officially become citizens of the United States during this naturalization ceremony hosted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Call Nate Eddy at 215-686-7502 or email eddyn@freelibrary.org with questions.

Twitter Chat with Miriam Enriquez, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs Friday, September 22|1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Join the conversation using #AskPhilly on Twitter
Miriam Enriquez will host a Twitter Chat to talk about the Office of Immigrant Affairs and answer questions from the people of Philadelphia. You can join the Twitter Chat by tweeting your questions using the #AskPhilly hashtag.

Monument Lab Seguimos Caminando LaunchFriday, September 22| 7:00 p.m. – 10 p.m.North apron of City HallFreeJoin Mural Arts Philadelphia for the launch of Michelle Angela Ortiz’s Monument Lab project, Seguimos Caminando (We Keep Walking), which honors mothers previously or currently detained at Berks Detention Center, a prison outside of Philadelphia for immigrant families. Refreshments and a speaking program will be followed by the debut of Ortiz’s animated projections upon the north gate of City Hall. The projections will then be on view on Wednesday and Friday evenings through November 19. Contact Nicole Steinberg at 267-353-2751 with questions.

Salud! Fundraising Dinner Series for the Garces Foundation Friday, September 22|Dinner hours On Point Bistro, 1200 Point Breeze Ave.
Salud is a three-night fundraising dinner series to support the Garces Foundation. Five of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants will donate a portion of their dinner proceeds to support the Foundation. The Garces Foundation provides the immigrant community with the health and educational support they need to live healthy and prosperous lives. We provide free, comprehensive healthcare to any immigrant. In addition, we provide English classes and workforce skills geared toward advancing the careers of immigrants working in the culinary industry. We are both a lifeline and a springboard to the American dream. Email Robin Morris at give@garcesfoundation.org with questions.

Global Feast: Under the Cosmopolitan Canopy Saturday, September 23|10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St. Free
Help Peace Day Philly create a multicultural mural at Reading Terminal Market. Bring swatches of fabrics that represent your heritage and culture. Weave it into a mural to be displayed at Reading Terminal Market. Each fabric contributor will be sent a photo of the finished piece.
For more information, contact Lisa Parker at lisadinparker@gmail.com or 215-688-6127.

Verbena Familiar! Saturday, September 23|11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Guerin Recreation Center, 2201 S. 16th St. Free
The Casa de Venezuela’s mission to preserve culture, promote knowledge, and support the advancement of the Venezuelan community in the Greater Philadelphia Region. This event supports the organization’s drive for unity and will showcase Venezuelan values and traditions. The event will feature kids’ games, food, a domino tournament, a bolas criollas (bocce ball) tournament, and much more. For more information, email Andres Arciniega at andres@impactomultimedia.net.

Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival Saturday, September 23| 12:00 p.m. Chinatown, 10th & Arch
AAU’s Mid-Autumn Festival creates a time when people come together in an expression of community pride and collective responsibility. Youth give a day of service, restaurants donate food, artists offer their talents, businesses and organizations chip in money – and hundreds of people work together to make the festival. For more information, email Alice Vuong at alice.vuong@aaunited.org.

Monument Lab Saturday Spotlight: Norris Square Saturday, September 23|1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Norris Square, 2100 N. Howard St. Free
Mural Arts Philadelphia’s citywide Monument Lab will feature Monument Lab artist David Hartt, who is working on a project at Norris Square involving the civic and cultural significance of green community spaces and Afro-Latino history in the neighborhood. Call Nicole Steinberg at 267-353-2751 with questions.

Philadelphia International Block Party Saturday, September 23|4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Marconi Plaza, 13th and Oregon
The Philadelphia International Block Party is a feature event of the 2017 Philadelphia Welcoming Week. From mouth-watering immigrant owned food trucks, cultural dance performances, representing different countries and multicultural craft vendors, this Block Party will continue to connect residents by showcasing our immigrant communities’ contributions to Philadelphia. For more information, email Bill Salvatore at PHLUnityCup@phila.gov.

Naturalization and Citizenship Workshop Monday, September 25|10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Consulate of Mexico, 111 S. Independence Mall E #320 Free
The Consulate of Mexico partners with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to provide a workshop on the steps and requirements to becoming a U.S. citizen. The session will help permanent residents and others interested in naturalization learn about eligibility, the process, testing, and citizenship rights and responsibilities. For more information, email Paula Lucano at plucano@sre.gob.mx.

St. Kitts Flag Raising Monday, September 25|12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Northeast Apron, City Hall Free
The St. Kitt’s Flag Raising Ceremony is hosted by the Caribbean American Heritage Collaborative. As part of the flag raising program, the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and the Office of the City Representatives (OCR) coordinates with local communities and diplomatic representatives to have a flag representing the community’s country of origin raised at City Hall. This is Philadelphia’s way of offering an official welcome to our diverse communities from different countries. With this program, the City looks to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for our many residents, cultures, and communities. For more information, email Kyle Lewis at kyle.lewis@phila.gov.

Social Innovations to Address Immigrant Needs Symposium Monday, September 25|2:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Calvary Center for Culture & Community, 841 South 48th Street Free
America’s cities have long been a gateway for immigrant arrivals, and urban areas continue to house the majority of the foreign-born in the United States. As urban immigrant populations have grown through successive waves of immigrants, many cities have developed rich networks of nonprofits and community groups and innovative programs to support immigrant and refugee populations. Municipal governments have recognized and appreciated the many benefits that immigrants bring to their cities, including cultural diversity, population growth, and economic development. At the same time, these city governments have sometimes struggled to address challenges associated with integrating diverse, low-income, and limited English proficient (LEP) populations. At this time of heightened debate regarding the policy landscape and funding environment for immigration services and advocacy, this symposium examines successful and innovative models for delivering integration services to immigrant and refugee communities and promoting pro-immigrant policies at the municipal level and beyond. To attend, register here. For more information, call Natasha Kelemen at 267-230-7337.